Automatic configuration of network components

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a method and device for configuring terminals and network components within a network. A specialist is no longer necessary in order to exchange a device or a component. The user simply exchanges the terminal or the network component and places a configurations-adapter in the serial interface, whereby the newly inserted terminal or network component is automatically provided with the stored configuration and started.

TECHNICAL DOMAIN

[0001] The invention relates to a process and a device for configuration of a terminal and/or a network component of a network according to the features of the respective preambles of the independent claims.

PRIOR ART

[0002] It is generally known that a network of terminals (networkable devices such as, for example, PCs, input or output means or the like) exchanges data via network components (such as, for example, an Ethernet switch). For connection to these networks and for start-up, communications and operating parameters must be configured at the terminals and also at the network components themselves before data exchange via the network and regular operation are possible. The type of configuration of parameters is dependent on the type of network and can be simple or complex, can be carried out manually or partially automated, and accordingly constitutes different requirements for the qualification of the operator.

[0003] One important requirement mainly in operation of control and automation technology is the rapid replacement of failed devices or network components in order to keep expensive downtimes of the systems which are to be controlled as short as possible. The replaced devices or components must be configured in the same way as the failed component before their start-up in order to be able to undertake its operation after replacement. Thus, the configuration of the communications parameters of field bus-capable devices is limited simply to setting a few switches; this also can be carried out by less qualified personnel.

[0004] Recently the network standards which were actually developed for the area of office communications (such as, for example, Ethernet, local bridges according to IEE802.1 and the TCP/IP protocol family) have been increasingly used for control and automation tasks. The configuration of the communications and operating parameters of device and network components for this network environment is much more complex and extensive than in field busses. This may be acceptable within office communication systems since qualified personnel are available there and downtimes are less critical. Extensive configuration however can not be accepted in the area of control and automation technology since here on the one hand the downtimes are cost-intensive and in general qualified personnel are not available.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The object of the invention is to devise for this network environment a process and a device for configuration of terminals and network components, with which the initially described disadvantages are avoided.

[0006] This object is achieved by the features of the independent claims.

[0007] As claimed in the invention, there is a process in which the configuration of at least one terminal/network component is first stored and when the terminal/component is replaced, the stored configuration is transmitted to the replacement device/replacement component. Thus the terminal or network component is made to be plug-and-playable in order to exchange the replacement device/replacement component without additional cost, in particular without the aid of qualified personnel in the network, at the same time the original configuration for the replaced device or the replaced network component is set. Thus it becomes possible after start-up of the network, when appropriately trained personnel are no longer available or only in an insufficiently short time, to transmit the initial entered configuration when the system is started up to replacement components in this fault case. The initial configuration therefore is entered by qualified personnel when the system is started up, i.e. all necessary information about the communications and operating parameters of network components and terminals is stored. Afterwards these parameters can be transmitted by a simple manual intervention to the replacement devices or replacement components.

[0008] In a development of the invention, storage takes place in an adapter which can be connected after replacement of the terminal/network component to the replacement device/replacement component and delivers at least one distinct identification character for configuration of the replacement device/replacement component. If within the topology of the network a terminal or network component is to be replaced (for example, due to a defect) the set configuration has been stored in the storage means of the adapter beforehand during error-free operation or upon start-up. After replacement of the terminal device/network component this stored configuration can be easily transmitted by connecting the adapter to the interface of the device or the component so that the replacement device/replacement component is immediately and easily ready for use. Thus, for example, not only the configurations stored originally at the factory or by the manufacturer, but also altered configurations which are necessary in complex networks and often deviate from factory settings, are preserved.

[0009] In a development of the invention it is provided that the adapter, especially a serial adapter without its own power supply, is plugged into an interface, especially into a serial interface, of the terminal/component or the replacement device/replacement component. In this way fast and uncomplicated data transmission is easily possible in order to transmit the configuration which has been stored in the adapter to the replacement device/replacement component. The entire configuration, such as especially the operating and communications parameters of the device or component are stored in a storage device, especially an EEPROM, of the adapter.

[0010] In a development of the invention the adapter in the inserted state obtains its power supply from the terminal or from the network component. In this way the adapter is ready to operate at any time and can be used over a long time interval during network operation.

[0011] The process and a sample device (network) are described below and explained using the sole figure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The FIGURE shows a network 1 which has one or more terminals 2 (for example, PC) in any number and at any locations. The term terminal also includes input units 3, output units 4, sensors 5 and actuators 6 and other comparable corresponding devices. The number and location of these terminals depend on the topology of the network. For example, possible applications include control of process-engineering systems and other applications in control and automation technology and within office communications. But this does not constitute any limitation of the application of this invention.

IMPLEMENTATIONS OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The described terminals with reference numbers 2 to 6 are connected either individually or in groups to network components 7. Depending on the type and location of the terminals, data are exchanged between the respective terminals and the pertinent network component 7 via a data line 8, and within the network 1 the same or different data lines 8 can be used.

[0014] For example, two terminals 2 (or only one terminal or more than two or all terminals of the network 1) have one interface 9 or 10 at a time, which are especially serial interfaces. With reference numbers 11 and 12 there are adapters 11 and 12 at the respective terminals 2. For several terminals also different adapters can be used. Depending on the complexity of the network and the type of terminal, for each terminal there also can be one adapter which is in turn the same or different in design. The same also applies to the adapters assigned to the network components. This is because at least one network component 7 (especially all network components) has (have) one (especially serial) interface 13 with a pertinent adapter 14. When the network 1 is started up, the configuration of the terminals and the pertinent network components is stored in the adapters 11 and 12 (also there can be more or fewer adapters). If it now is established that one terminal 2, for example, due to a defect or updating (or a network component 7) is to be replaced, replacement easily can take place, afterwards the pertinent adapter is connected to the new terminal or new network component and thus the pertinent configuration is set. This takes place during the BOOT process, the plugged-in adapter having stored in its storage device (especially an EEPROM) a distinct identification character with which the configuration can be retrieved by means of a suitable protocol from the server or the entire configuration can be loaded from the adapter. The adapter receives its power supply from the pertinent terminal or network component which can be for example an Ethernet switch.

[0015] Therefore, a process and a device for configuration of the terminals and network components within a network are made available, for replacement of a device or a component so that no specialist is necessary. The specialist simply replaces one terminal or one network component and plugs a configuration adapter into the serial interface, the newly inserted terminal or network component being automatically supplied with the stored configuration and started.

REFERENCE NUMBER LIST

[0016]1. network

[0017]2. terminal

[0018]3. input unit

[0019]4. output unit

[0020]5. sensor

[0021]6. actuator

[0022]7. network component

[0023]8. data line

[0024]9. interface

[0025]10. interface

[0026]11. adapter

[0027]12. adapter

[0028]13. interface

[0029]14. adapter 

1. Process for configuration of terminals or network components within a network, characterized in that the configuration of at least one terminal and/or at least one network component is first stored and when the terminal/network component is replaced the stored configuration is transmitted to the replacement device or replacement component.
 2. Process as claimed in claim 1, wherein storage takes place in an adapter which can be connected after replacement to the replacement device/replacement component and delivers at least one distinct identification character for configuration of the replacement device/replacement component.
 3. Process as claimed in claim 2, wherein the adapter, especially a serial adapter without its own power supply, is plugged into an interface, especially into a serial interface, of the terminal/component or of the replacement device/replacement component.
 4. Device for configuration of terminals (2 to 6) and network components (7) within a network (1) takes place [sic], wherein the terminal (2 to 6) or the network component (7) has an interface (9, 10, 13) which can be connected to the adapter (11, 12, 14) such that storage takes place in the adapter (11, 12, 14) which can be connected to the terminal (2 to 6)/network component (7) and after replacement to the replacement device/replacement component.
 5. Device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the adapter (11, 12, 14) in the plugged-in state receives its power supply from the terminal (2 to 6)/network component (7).
 6. Device as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein the network component (7) is an Ethernet switch. 